Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Barrel lengths and favorite hunting rifles

Curious what everyone’s barrel length is on their favorite hunting rifle? Did the barrel length have anything to do with why you grew to like it or was that not even a consideration? I’m always back n forth on barrel lengths for rifles. Really think I prefer a 24” but how much can a 22” really make a difference? Its probably not even worth all the overthinking. Seems like 22” is the standard anymore on most hunting rigs.

22" seems to be a sweet spot for the 308 family of cartridges. I like a 24" for 30-06 and 280 and a 26" for magnums.

RB,
It absolutely is a consideration for me. I've been steadily going to shorter barrel rifles. As long as they balance well, I certainly enjoy carrying them in the woods over a longer barrel. I'm mainly hunting Eastern woods for whitetail so just my opinion.

I prefer 22 inch barrels on most of my rifles and have a couple with 20 inch (.308 and .250 Sav) which I really like when hunting in thick timber where shots will be 50m or less. I have a couple with 24 inches (.25-06 and .30-06) but I hardly ever use them anymore. Then funny enough, I rebarrelled three rifles last year (7x64, .257 AI and 6.5 CM) and went 23 inches on all of them just for something different. But normally I prefer shorter rifles than longer ones. The Ruger No.1As and 1S I have all have 22 Inch barrels but are nice and short due no magazine. I really, really like carrying them in the bush.

Love that 24" barrel on my Rem 722 in 300 sav

22” works on most things for me.

Seems it was 24" now down to 22" or shorter. I like the shorter ones for deep woods, lighter and easier to handle in brush. Gives up some velocity when one is in the wide open however.

I prefer a 22” barrel on my rifles, no matter the cartridge. I like light rifles and a 22” barrel seems to balance out nicely.

My favorite right now is a Remington Model Seven SS 7-08 with a 20" barrel.

I have a couple bolts actions with 21 in barrels, but for the most part, it is 24-26.

Remington Seven in 308 with 20" barrel.

One thing I've noticed over the last few years is that some manufacturers are making .25-06 rifles with 22 Inch barrels. That is one cartridge that I would prefer a 24 inch barrel.

I love shorter lighter rifles and have never felt at a disadvantaged with shorter barrels my favorite is 20inch short action rifle. Right Now my favorite is a Rem model 7 LSS in 7mm-08 and my new favorite my be my new Sako Finnlight 7mm-08 na maybe a tie. Widow

Other than a magnum caliber it is hard to find a factory rifle with a 24" barrel, most are 22" or 20". Reloading books still publish velocities with 24" or more test barrels. Kinda leaves one in no mans land.

I agree. Why is that? Also, I have a 204 and a 22-250 both in short and long barrel versions ... they both sure seem like they don’t reach their full potential until you shoot them out the 26ers. Just my opinion.

23" on a 7mm-08 and 30-06

Other than a "custom" rifle, where does one find a 23" barrel? I do agree that would be a happy medium. I just bought a new rifle, looked long and hard at just about everything available and 22" or 20" seems to be the norm now. Actually the Sako I bought was 22.4" (569mm)

My favorite rifle wears a 26 inch Lilja...but truth be told, I may have it lopped off to 20". Some folks like a muzzle heavy rifle, but I don't for the most part.

For the smaller rounds I usually shoot, 26" barrels are a waste of metal and weight IMO. You don't need that much barrel to burn 30 or 40 grains of powder. I've found the small velocity gain per inch past 20" or so to not be worth weight of the long barrel. Other's mileage may vary.

It truly is a great debate! Especially within myself. Lol

I like 20-22" on short action cartridges, 22" on 30-06 based cartridges. I no longer own anything in a magnum, but 24" is as long as I want to deal with.